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For those living with chronic pain from a work-related injury or car accident, and it has not improved with medications, physical therapy, or other treatments, then spinal cord stimulation may offer a new path forward by changing how pain signals are processed within the nervous system. We understand how challenging persistent pain can be, and we’re here to guide you toward options that fit your unique needs.
Freedom Injury Network provides spinal cord stimulation therapy in our multiple locations throughout Arizona for patients suffering from a wide range of chronic back pain conditions. We offer a personalized approach that begins with thorough evaluation and extends through the implantation process and long-term follow-up care.
Call our specialist at 480-535-6300 to schedule a consultation today to see if spinal cord stimulation is the right treatment for you.
Spinal cord stimulation, also called SCS, is an interventional pain management therapy that uses a small, implanted device to deliver mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, interrupting or modifying pain signals before they reach the brain. Rather than treating the underlying structural cause of pain, SCS works by altering the way the nervous system processes and perceives pain signals, providing relief for conditions where pain has become a chronic neurological phenomenon that persists beyond the original tissue injury or damage.
SCS is supported by a substantial body of research demonstrating its effectiveness for a range of chronic pain conditions that have not responded to conventional treatment. Modern spinal cord stimulation technology has advanced significantly, with today’s systems offering programmable, patient-controlled therapy that can be adjusted to match changing pain patterns and lifestyle needs.
Spinal cord stimulation works by delivering low-level electrical impulses through small leads placed in the epidural space adjacent to the spinal cord. These impulses interfere with pain signal transmission along the spinal cord pathways that carry pain information to the brain. Depending on the technology and programming used, SCS can produce a gentle tingling sensation that replaces the perception of pain, or in newer high-frequency and burst stimulation systems, provide pain relief without any noticeable sensation at all.
The system consists of three components:
The pulse generator is similar in size to a cardiac pacemaker and is implanted under the skin, typically in the lower back or buttock area. The patient uses a handheld remote to adjust stimulation intensity within parameters set by the clinical team.
Spinal cord stimulation is most effective for neuropathic pain conditions, meaning pain that arises from abnormal nerve signaling rather than active tissue damage. Conditions commonly treated with SCS at Freedom Injury Network include:
The common thread across these conditions is pain that has a significant neuropathic component and that has not been adequately controlled through medications, injections, physical therapy, or surgery.
Patients who are good candidates for spinal cord stimulation and who respond well to the therapy typically experience meaningful reductions in pain intensity, reduced reliance on pain medications including opioids, improved ability to perform daily activities and return to work, better sleep quality, and improved overall quality of life. Many studies show that appropriately selected patients often experience meaningful pain reduction, commonly around 50% or more.
One of the most significant advantages of spinal cord stimulation is the ability to conduct a trial period (also known as a “trial stim”) before permanent implantation. This allows patients and their clinical team to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy for that individual’s specific pain pattern before committing to a permanent implant, making the decision more informed and reducing the risk of proceeding with a permanent implant in patients who may not respond optimally.
Like any interventional procedure, spinal cord stimulation carries potential risks that are reviewed thoroughly with every patient during the evaluation process. Potential risks include:
Our specialists conduct thorough risk-benefit analysis with every patient and ensure that the decision to proceed with SCS is made with full understanding of both the potential benefits and the realistic risks for that individual’s specific situation.
Generally, spinal cord stimulation candidates should meet the following criteria:
The trial period is a standard part of the candidacy process. During the trial, temporary leads are placed and connected to an external pulse generator that the patient wears for seven to fourteen days. This allows a real-world evaluation of how effectively SCS addresses that patient’s specific pain before permanent implantation is pursued.
Spinal cord stimulation technology has advanced considerably in recent years, and Freedom Injury Network offers access to multiple SCS platforms to match the right technology to each patient’s condition and lifestyle:
Our specialists recommend the most appropriate technology based on each patient’s diagnosis, pain distribution, lifestyle, and the specific findings of their evaluation.
The process at Freedom Injury Network begins with a comprehensive pain management consultation that reviews the patient’s full pain history, prior treatments and their outcomes, diagnostic imaging, and current functional status.
Patients who appear to be appropriate candidates proceed through psychological evaluation, which is a standard component of SCS candidacy assessment and helps ensure patients have realistic expectations and the psychological resources to engage successfully with the therapy.
Following candidacy confirmation, the trial procedure is scheduled. The trial leads are placed in the epidural space under fluoroscopic guidance in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia and light sedation. The patient returns home with an external pulse generator and keeps a detailed record of pain levels, activity, and medication use throughout the trial period.
If the trial demonstrates adequate pain reduction, typically defined as at least 50% improvement, the permanent implantation procedure is scheduled. The permanent implant involves placing a pulse generator under the skin and securing the leads in their optimal position. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and many patients are able to return to light activity within a few days, with full recovery over several weeks.
Following permanent implantation, our team provides ongoing programming support and follow-up care to optimize stimulation parameters as the patient’s pain patterns and activity levels evolve over time.
Freedom Injury Network is an integrated care network that brings together pain management specialists, spine care providers, behavioral health support, and coordinated clinical services under a single patient-centered system. Our pain management team approaches spinal cord stimulation not as an isolated procedure but as one component of a comprehensive chronic pain management strategy tailored to each patient’s specific condition and goals.
We have extensive experience coordinating care for patients involved in personal injury claims and post-accident recovery, ensuring that treatment documentation supports both clinical and legal needs without creating barriers to necessary care.
Our commitment to each patient extends from the initial evaluation through long-term device management, with accessible follow-up care and programming support that ensures the therapy continues to perform optimally as patients’ needs change over time.
Contact Freedom Injury Network at 480-535-6300 to schedule a spinal cord stimulation consultation with one of our pain management specialists today.
